Patriots cut Ras-I Dowling

Adam Schefter of ESPN was the first to report that the Patriots made the move, and it was confirmed on the league’s transaction wire on Wednesday afternoon.

Heading into the 2011 NFL draft, the Patriots liked Dowling so much that they took him with the first pick in the second round (a pick they had previously acquired in a trade with the Panthers). And Dowling showed early promise, starting the first two games of the season.

But Dowling suffered a hip injury in Week Two of his rookie year and missed the rest of the season, and Dowling’s 2012 season was also cut short because of an injury, this time a torn muscle in his thigh. Through two seasons Dowling has played in only nine games.

Shame. He’s got good raw talent(size/length/speed), but he could never stay healthy, dating back to his final year at UVA. I think he’ll probably get another look or two, particularly if a team tries him at safety, as he has the size and showed enough physicality to be pondered for that move.

Laughable sir. Gronk? Hurt, Branch? alright, but a product of the system, Vereen? Under the 4th rounder on the depth chart. Vollmer? Servicable tackle, also hurt periodically. You make it sound like those guys are all pros.